I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Wanderlust 108 held in Washington, DC with Swisse - Australia’s No. 1 brand for vitamins and supplements. Wanderlust 108 is considered to be the “world’s only mindful triathlon.” What does that mean? Well, the event featured three mindful activities - Running/Walking, Yoga, and Mediation. Cool, right? What better way to start a Saturday morning. The schedule was full of activities from 6:30am - 2:00pm but I chose to do the 5K, mediate and hang out with the crew from Swisse. Since recently discovering Swisse, I was really excited to learn more about their premium quality supplements and what I can do to boost my nutrition.

At Swisse’s #DestinationHappiness stunning Botanical Wall, I learned about my specific health needs and which vitamin boosts are best suited for me through an interactive digital platform.

I also discovered so many creative ways to detox and cleanse your body of toxins. From detoxifying Ashtanga yoga poses to supplements and choosing to eat the right foods that help with bloating (my biggest issue). I was starting to feel like a true wellness warrior ready to take on anything!

Lunch was delicious and vegan!

Hair, skin, and nail health is something we are all somewhat passionate about but it can become difficult to follow a routine when were committed to busy schedules and in my case, lots of travel. Swisse has both a liquid and tablet form of their special formula, either of which can be easily incorporated in your daily routine.

At #DestinationHappiness, I learned that the Swisse’s Hair, Skin, and Nails Liquid is made with blood orange extract from Sicily- not only is it delicious but that vitamin C helps the body naturally produce collagen, which is a key building block for shiny hair, supple skin, and strong nails. What better definition is there of #BeautyFromWithin!

This experience was absolutely fantastic!! I was able to workout, relax, eat well, and learn all at one event! A HUGE THANKS to my friends at Swisse for treating me so well. To discover the full range of vitamins and supplements for your nutritional needs, click HERE!

With summer time right around the corner, there is so much to do and see! As many of you may know, I love to travel. If I'm not flying to an exotic island or freezing my tail off in Iceland, I'm always down for a road trip!

In partnership with Kia Motors, I had the chance to experience an exclusive at-home test drive in the all-new 2017 Kia Cadenza and let me tell you, I was immediately impressed!

Our driver Joseph arrived at my place at 3pm, ready to start our trip around Washington, DC. I was greeted with a friendly smile and the opening of my car door. But I have to admit, I was distracted. The sleek exterior with chrome details was the last thing I expected from a Kia!

Ok now on to the ride. The interior was just as chic as the exterior. The black quilted Nappa leather seating provided so much comfort and all the more reasons to go for a drive. Throughout the ride, I learned so much about the functionality and features of the car. One of the features that stood out to me was the Smart Blind-Spot Detection (SBSD). It's function is to help locate vehicles in your blind spot. It also warns you when it detects your vehicle switching lanes unintentionally, and, in some cases, will apply localized braking pressure to help guide your vehicle back into its lane. How cool is that?!!

During the entire ride, I listened to my favorite tunes with the windows rolled down and the lofty panoramic sunroof open that offered a full sunny sky view. Needless to say, I was not ready for this test drive to end.

Check out some of the highlights below...

The wide, wraparound dash and clean interior lines give the cabin an open, inviting atmosphere. There is great deal of space for both the front and rear passengers to have their own room to relax.

Another one of my favorite features of the 2017 Kia Cadenza is the Apple CarPlay. You can make calls, use Siri, send and receive text messages, and listen to your own playlists while staying focused on the road.

Sign up for your own at-home test drive HERE! It's a complete one-on-one experience where you can sign up to have the vehicle delivered to your home or office, learn about the vehicle and take it for a short drive.

You also get a sweet prize for participating! It’s something a little more than you think – Kia Motors is all about lux life.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by FCA US; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Christmas came early because I needed new tires for my car and I was worried about how I was going to get around since it was in the shop. Enter Chrysler, who offered me the wonderful opportunity to test drive the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica for a week. Can we say PERFECT timing!!

I have never driven a minivan before so I was looking forward to the experience and I have to say, it was fun. You'll be able to tell in the pictures you are about to see.

I took full advantage of Chrysler Pacifica's Stow and Go Seating and Storage System. All I had to do was slide the seats forward and they fold into the in-floor bins so I could utilize all that space for the damage I did at the mall. What you see here is not even half of the bags. I made a second trip the next day *insert surprised eyes emoji*. I mean that's what the space is for, right?

Since I don't have children (yet), I called my friend Jessica to go for a ride in this family friendly minivan. We brought along her gorgeous baby girl Lu for the ultimate test. As you can see, there was enough space for me to sit comfortably (on Alloy Nappa Leather Trim with Axis Perforated Insert seats by the way) as I strapped Miss Lu into her car seat. Within minutes on the road, Lu was asleep. I would love to say it was my driving but I'm sure it was the comfortable conditions.

The baby carriage fit perfect with tons of space to spare.

The 360 Surround View Camera provided that much needed assistance for parallel parking in the city.

This was definitely a treat! Heated seats and steering wheel options - for someone who's always cold, I really enjoyed this feature.

When I went to pick up my friends to hang out, they were taking forever to get ready so, I popped in my favorite movie (Coming to America) in the Blu-Ray player and watched it on the 10.1 inch HD touchscreen. It was the perfect way to make use of some free time.

Who said minivans aren't stylish?

I really enjoyed my week driving around in the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. This top-rated vehicle definitely dispelled my preconceived ideas about minivans. It was spacious, quiet, has excellent gas mileage, and was such a pleasure to drive. I totally understand why it's one of the best options in its class.

I will be speaking at #BrownGirlsLovePOWER Day on January 7th with four other AWESOME and inspirational ladies. The event has an amazing lineup of workshops and panel discussions on empowerment and so much more!

The League of United Latin American Citizens’ (LULAC) Annual National Convention and Exposition is considered the nation’s premier Hispanic event. More than 20,000 influencers from across the country, including top leaders from government, business, philanthropy and the Latino community attended.

In addition, Toyota - the top auto brand among U.S. Hispanics returned as presenting sponsor of LULAC's 87th Annual National Convention and Exposition. The highlight of Toyota’s participation was the 50th anniversary celebration of the Corolla, the top selling car among U.S. Hispanics.

Did you know, one out of every four Corollas in the United States is sold to a Latino! To mark the occasion, Toyota brought the Corolla’s national birthday celebration- Recorriendo Historias.

As part of Toyota’s “Recorriendo Historias” celebration, conference attendees were able to share their favorite Corolla memories by sketching a picture on one of the canvas-wrapped Corollas, or by recording a short video at a booth. Those who shared their drawings on social media with hashtag #VayamosJuntos and #Corolla50automatically were entered into a raffle for a chance to win either an Apple Watch, GoPro HERO4, Ipad Mini, or Polaroid Snap!

Thanks to ToyotaLatino for such an awesome experience at #LULAC16. Had a blast! #VayamosJuntos

Since I cut my hair, I felt the need to pay extra attention to my skin care regimen. My cleansing routine is pretty simple. I use a gentle cleanser, exfoliate ever so often, and apply a hydrating lotion both day and night, but I knew I needed to step it up a notch since I started noticing some pimples were starting to surface. So, I scheduled an appointment with the DC's award-winning HelaSpa for a cleansing facial.

Bonnie was my esthetician and before she began my treatment, she explained some of the benefits of getting facials.

1. Circulation: Facials help restore circulation to the layers of your skin by increasing the flow of blood to your skin cells. With small massaging movements, the flow of blood rushes throughout the skin giving your skin a healthy and youthful glow.

2. Anti-Aging: We can’t stop the aging process but we can delay it. Facials can help slow down the aging process by removing dead and damaged skin by using products/treatments that increase collagen and cell growth which will offer you once again, a glowing youthful look.

3. Cleansing: A normal at home cleansing routine doesn’t always get to the root of your skin issues. Facials offer a deep cleaning of the skin by helping reduce an overabundance of sebum , which is an oily secretion of the sebaceous glands. An excess of sebum, dead skin cells and dirt trapped inside yourpores can lead to acne and blackheads.

NOTE: You may not notice a vast difference in the Before and After pictures except for a little redness from the extractions, but my skin felt ahhhmazing! It was incredibly soft and I had a JLo glow for days. *Insert lady in red dress dancing emoji*

I LOVE how cute and comfortable these seamless undies are by @empoweredbyyou and am so proud to be an ambassador for this brand! They are the perfect everyday panty. Honored to be a part of such an incredible campaign that helps #empower women out of poverty. 20% of net profits will go to the Seven Bar Foundation to empower women out of poverty and into business via microfinance.

I'm going to be honest, I thought once I shaved my head it was going to be over. I mean my brand means "Rock Yo Curls."

I prepared myself for the negative comments and how I was going to respond. I was afraid that I was going to confuse my audience because I was expressing the importance of loving your hair and I did the opposite. I was worried that all the relationships in the hair care industry I worked so hard to develop were going to start to diminish since I no longer had my rizos to market products. I anticipated not being invited to the hottest events and the list could go on but I must say I was wrong and all of that really didn't matter. Once I was true to myself I was able to be honest with you all and I feel like that's what is important. As you guys know by now, I am not my hair but it was a hard lesson that I needed to learn and I felt the need to share. Why? Because it's not always about how you look on the outside, it's how you feel on the inside.

Given these points, not in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be asked to be part of such a beautiful campaign that totally represents what I stand for (this was on my dream board though)

I'm a huge fan of Carol's Daughter products but also of their #bornandmade campaign because it inspires women from all over to know their self worth and celebrate who they are. Thank you to the entire Carol's Daughter team for this amazing opportunity and being able to share it with nine other courageous women. And thank you ALL for continuing to #rock with me!

Here's why. I was selected by SCDC Agency and Neuprofile as the ambassador for the iconic brand during Georgetown Blogger Crawl! Ok, so I don't leave some of you wondering what #GTBloggerCrawl is all about - it's a day comprised of a group of local (DC, MD and VA) bloggers learning about the area and some of its top stores. I must say I was super excited to work with Dr. Martens because not only do I loooove their boots but I wanted to know the history behind it. While doing some research on the brand, here are some of the fun facts I discovered:

Inspired by a ski injury, Dr. Martens and his friend Dr. Funck invented an air-cushioned sole and were looking for investors.

In the late 1950, boot maker Bill Griggs was scrolling through an issue of Shoe and Leather News magazine to find the duo looking for overseas partners for their new air-cushioned sole.

Griggs contacted Dr. Marten and the first boot was created on April 1, 1960.

Turning point for the brand and youth culture was when Peter Townshend of The Who wore the classic 1460 black boot on stage during a concert.

A huge thank you to the staff of Dr. Martens of Georgetown for the warm welcome and the lovely ladies of SDCD agency and Neuprofile for the wonderful opportunity with an American classic brand that has been around for over 50 years!

Having healthy hair requires a well balanced diet, a consistent hair regimen and of course the hair products. Right? And most of us curly girls can understand the #struggle. The Straight from Eden line by Creme of Nature contains olive oil, coconut oil and avocado oil - perfect for those with all hair textures - and is all about healthy hair/lifestyle which seems to be on the same thinking as your transition so we felt a strong synergy. The line works for girls who are natural, texlaxed or relaxed.

The Straight from Eden line comes with four hair maintenance products that all contain coconut, avocado and olive oils essential for naturally curly and permanently straightened hair.

Creme of Nature from Eden Natural Oil-infused Repairing Oil- a light rich oil to help repair hair, control frizz and protect against heat damage using coconut, avocado and olive oils. Can be used on dry or wet hair when styling or add to conditioner for an extra boost of moisture during steam treatments.

And for the ladies that like to permanently straighten their hair, Creme of Nature Straight from Eden Natural-Oil Infused Relaxer has a unique dual-phase technology that is one part naturally derived straightener and one part chemical activator. Coconut oil adds protection to the hair, avocado oil helps to fortify hair and olive oil replenishes hair during the straightening process. The system comes in two phases, allowing the user to mix it at home to maintain the freshness of the oils for healthier straight hair.

The great thing about these products are that they retail from $5.99 - $9.99 which is extremely affordable! They are located at your local Walmart, Walgreens and select beauty supply stores nationwide and for my online shoppers, check out: www.cremeofnature.com

Ok so to bring you up to speed, if you don’t follow me on Instagram, I started a campaign called #iamlettingGO after the realization that so many people were going through life transitions. It was a platform for people to share their beautiful struggles and anything they were letting go of in order to move forward with any aspirations they've given up on.

Within a month, over 500 participated, shared and encouraged each other not to give up. I was shocked at the response! So I felt it was only right to share my personal story (which I did through video) about my transition which included shaving off my signature shoulder length curls. But more than anything I wanted to meet everyone in person !

The first 25 guests were gifted with full sized products from Crème of Nature’s Straight from Eden which is their new Natural Oil-Infused hair care line powered by coconut, avocado and olive oils all of which are essential for healthy hair.

We also handed out tags to everyone and asked them to share something they were “letting go” of. Keep scrolling and you’ll see why……

As an avid traveller, I always look for my lodging to be comfortable as my home. But there are some trips that I just and want to feel special and experience ALL of the amenities a hotel has to offer.

As the #StayDC Marriott brand influencer, I had the wonderful opportunity to explore and stay at the beautiful Marriott Marquis located in downtown DC and I got the chance to experience the perfect mix of being home but feeling like a queen.

Being a native New York, I love culture, history, and of course- shopping! DC is such a great city to explore from our monuments and museums to the huge variety of culinary destinations. I mean a girl has gotta eat!

Check out my experience as I explored the hotel's cool amenities and unique neighborhood all with arm's reach of public transportation and up and coming areas.

Hotel Clerk David who checked me in

You can also download the Marriott Mobile app. You can have access to Mobile Check-In and Out, mobile guest services (where available) and free Wi-Fi!

Living room in my room!

This bathroom was incredibly beautiful.

The M Club Lounge

The food was obviously very tasty...

The sweetest server award goes to Abrehet.

The Dignitary Whisky Bar

Goose Flash

Vodka, Peach Schnapps with pineapple and cranberry juice

Chinatown

The coolest bellhops ever.

50-foot high sculpture "The Birth of the American Flag"

Guess what? You guys are are in luck!

The Marriott Marquis turns the big ONE this year! Enjoy this weekend offer: The Park, Dine and Connect Package.

This celebration has been a long time coming. I had always dreamed of having an event but I didn't have a clue where to start so I just kept putting it off. It wasn't until I was on my way home on the metro and a girl approached me and said "I know you! When are you having an event? DC naturals need to meet you in person." I was so surprised and definitely taken back by her moxie but at that moment I knew it had to be done. Jessica Hoy of Ink Blot Army worked her magic and totally made my vision come true and helped me plan the ENTIRE event down to the tasty coconut drinks by Coconut Cartel filled with Zacapa Rum.

THANKS to STK DC for providing such a beautiful venue in such short notice. And THANK YOU to all of the beautiful faces that came to celebrate with me. I truly appreciate each and every one of you!

I have been keeping a secret. Trust me, I really couldn't wait to share this very special project with you guys. Amla Legend's Artistic Director & celebrity stylist Johnny Wright transformed my naturally curly hair into the ultimate silky blow-out with the one and only TV celebrity, style icon and my new curlfriend Tracee Ellis Ross! *Yes, I was starstruck and I couldn't properly function for the first 10 minutes after she arrived*

It has been at least over a year since I have straightened my hair and I couldn't have been happier to have it done by the best. I have to be honest though, I was a little nervous when I saw the flat iron because I had just went blonde and I did not want to risk the integrity of my hair since I love rockin' my rizos. Thankfully, my curls reverted back without any damage. The Amla Legend Heat Defense System which includes the 10 in 1 Silky Blow-OutElixir, the Silky Blow-Out Masque, the Silkening Oil Mist are definitely "must have's" in creating a smooth and straight look because they all aid in maintaining your hair hydrated and moisturized while using heat.

I want to send a HUGE thank you to the SoftSheen Carson family for giving me this wonderful opportunity- I am forever grateful!

Ok, enough of me yapping - Check out the full video below!

Enjoy!

XO,

Mel

Here are some behind the scene pics courtesy of my buddy Pete Monsanto of FlyLifeImages.com .

I always had a true appreciation for artists because my stick figures are truly embarrassing so when I stumbled along Shaz' art work via his Instagram I was in love with his work! The details of his drawings are so elaborate and captivating. To my surprise, he informed me that he was creating a book called Virtual Beauties and asked if I would like to be a part of it. I mean, of course!!

This was the concept behind the book (as told by Shaz)

"Beauty is subjective, each of us has his own perception of art. What could be more intense than cultural diversity. Although beauty is subjective, it is through different female faces that the project Virtual Beauties transcends reality to exceed borders. It's from the social network Instagram that 30 women far from prejudice are making us travel."

Mischo Beauty Introduces the Lacquer of Love Campaign: Effect Meaningful Change with the Stroke of a Brush

WASHINGTON, DC – Luxury, eco-chic cosmetics brand Mischo Beauty launches its philanthropic arm with the Lacquer of Love campaign, which will feature a new limited edition nail lacquer each campaign season. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these signature polishes will be donated to an organization which empowers women. A new color and recipient organization will be announced bi-annually.

The brand’s founder and my friend Kitiya Mischo King states, “Mischo Beauty firmly believes in the old adage, ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’ With the launch of this ongoing charity campaign, we hope to present an opportunity to make meaningful change with the stroke of a brush. Factoring positively in the lives of others is one of the most beautiful pursuits of all.”

The inaugural shade of the collection, a vibrant aubergine, benefits the Washington, DC Women’s Business Center (DC WBC) and will be available on March 1, 2015 at www.mischobeauty.com. Each polish from the Lacquer of Love collection retails at $18 per bottle.

Mischo Luxury Nail Lacquer was conceptualized by chemist and cosmetologist Kitiya Mischo King during a fruitless, frustrating search for stunning, cruelty-free, non-toxic nail polish to wear during her pregnancy. All lacquers boast a 5-FREE formula, which means they contain no Formaldehyde, no Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), no Toluene, no Formaldehyde Resin, and no Camphor—all ingredients that have been known to contribute to cancer, birth defects, and reproductive issues. To gain exclusive access to Mischo Luxury Nail Lacquer, visit www.MischoBeauty.com. Follow on Twitter @MischoBeauty.

About the Washington, DC Women’s Business Center:

The Washington, DC Women's Business Center (DC WBC) is a business development organization that serves women entrepreneurs in the Washington, DC Region. The DC WBC provides business growth assistance, mentorship, and business opportunities to assist in the growth of women-owned businesses to help them reach the next level of success. Business ownership and entrepreneurship are particularly important to cultivate and support among underserved populations, particularly women and minorities. Women-owned firms, for example, account for only

30% of all U.S. businesses. For more information, please visit www.dcwbc.org.